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Can we continue to use our telephony infrastructure?

In FAQ
September 23, 2021
1 Min Read
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Phone systems can be connected with Teams in three ways. One way is to use Microsoft as your Calling Plan provider and deploy the Microsoft all-in-one Calling plan solution called “all-in-the-cloud”. Microsoft is the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Carrier in that case with limited functionality.

MachCloud, as a worldwide telephony Carrier, on the other hand, provides multiple options to connect to the PSTN. In this way, users can use telephone numbers to make phone calls anywhere in the world. The Simplest Solution is a Phone system with a MachCloud Calling Plan.

We can set up solutions with Teams Direct Routing or even connection between your own cloud-based telephony system and your Teams users.

This way, it is possible to configure interoperability between existing phone systems and Microsoft Teams calling solutions. There are options for a hybrid solution as well.

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Do on-premises Skype for Business Server customers need to upgrade to Microsoft Teams?

In FAQ
August 12, 2021
1 Min Read
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Now that Microsoft Skype for Business server has retired, many organizations undergoing on-premises setup are looking for ways of alternate cloud telephony services. The simple answer to the above question is Yes. On-premises Skype for Business Server customers must upgrade to Teams in 3 steps. The first step is to configure hybrid connectivity. Next, you need to set up the transitional coexisting mode. This is an optional step. However, depending upon your company requirements, you can make this step in phases. The next step is to shift users from Skype for Business on-premises setup to the Teams Only mode. This has now become a single step. The last step is to complete migration by disabling hybrid environments and perform the migration to the cloud. Migrating users of Skype for Business on-premises with Enterprise Voice To Teams Calling plans requires moving users’ calling accounts to the cloud as well. For users with PSTN connectivity, the migration will involve Direct routing deployment.

DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR EFFECTIVE MICROSOFT TEAMS MIGRATION“? 

Have more questions? Speak to one of our Teams migration experts today to learn more. 

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What is the Difference Between Cloud and Traditional PBX?

In FAQ
July 29, 2020
1 Min Read
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The basic difference lies with the setting up of the two business phone systems. In a Traditional PBX method, an on-premises phone system is linked to all the phone extensions and further connected to PSTN lines. They are usually a CapEx purchase. In contrast, a cloud-based business communication system offers more flexible options. A cloud-based PBX system is also called Hosted service in which the main element to connect extensions is the Internet. In this setup, the company usually has to pay for the softphones or the endpoints. In addition to this, the cloud Hosted PBX service providers charge a monthly fee for the services. The Hosted PBX approach is, thus, much of a cheaper alternative to the traditional PBX system. There is no initial installation cost of PBX maintenance costs. The system is better scalable for the company than in the case of a traditional PBX. Hosted PBX offers remote working and business communication that is not defined within the office walls.

Stay in the know and get in touch with a MachCloud expert to know more about Cloud and traditional PBX business communication systems.

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How does a cloud PBX work?

In Cloud PBX, FAQ
July 3, 2020
1 Min Read
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Cloud PBX essentially needs an Internet connection to carry out cloud-based communication. A VoIP system or any other IP system is needed that provides essentially an IP to your telephony system. It is a full-fledge Virtual PBX phone system hosted in the cloud. Cloud PBX is a hosted private branch exchange. With this, IP PBX transfers the call via the internet to Public Switch Telephony Network (PSTN). Thus, Companies adopting a hosted PBX solution do not have to spend on installation, maintenance, and setup of services.

Cloud PBX interface software allows for accessing the cloud PBX features from any device, Multiple devices can communicate with each other via a middleware. In this way, the office phone can be used on-the-go. Cloud PBX is flexible and provides self-resiliency.

The Cloud PBX Provider is responsible for the maintenance and the technical aspects of the underlying infrastructure. A cloud PBX works best for companies that are growing and have an increasing number of employees.

Talk to A MachCloud expert for more information and technical assistance on MachCloud® Cloud PBX.

DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “Is Cloud PBX More Expensive than On-Premises?“

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How do I enable a dial pad in Microsoft Teams?

In FAQ
June 15, 2020
1 Min Read
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In the US and Canada, you are able to add a dial pad in Teams by having a Phone System enabled in the organization’s Teams plan along with Calling Plans. In Teams, you must ensure that “Allow private calling” is properly enabled in the main Teams calling policy. This can be done via the Microsoft Teams admin center. In this way, the users can make calls and receive calls via PSTN and the Dial Pad Tab would be enabled. From the bottom of the screen, select Dial a number then select Dial Pad.

For expert guidance, talk to the MachCloud Expert for more information.

DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “How to enable PSTN Calling in Microsoft Teams?“

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How to enable PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams?

In FAQ
June 12, 2020
1 Min Read
H

PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams can be enabled in two ways

Add Calling plans to Microsoft 365 licenses in Teams itself (if available in your Country). To be able to call from a mobile phone via PSTN in Teams, users must have 1:1 calling enabled in Teams and must be using a Teams client supporting 1:1 Teams Calling. Next, you need to be able to enable the Dial Plan tab in Teams. And the admin must provision the users for Calling plans. Unfortunately, this feature is not available in Europe.

The best way (available worldwide) is to add Calling plans from your local Telephony Provider who will enable Direct Routing to your Teams users for you. Very easy to implement.

Get in touch with a MachCloud Expert to enable PSTN Calling in Microsoft Teams.

DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “The killer feature of Microsoft Teams for Business“? 

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What is Teams Direct Routing?

In FAQ
June 5, 2020
1 Min Read
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In modern digital communication, Direct Routing is a process that routes Microsoft Teams to a traditional phone network i.e. PSTN. With Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, you get to connect Microsoft Teams with telephony Network Providers of your choice. This results in cheaper call rates for both local and international calls, better support, and more flexibility.

Direct Routing setup

A Direct Routing setup lets you configure your existing PSTN connectivity with Microsoft Teams client. The process requires connectivity to local PSTN Service – or Network Provider, O365 organization and related domains to carry out the desired cloud-based communication, organization-wide and globally.

DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “Microsoft Teams Direct Routing: Where to start“? 

Have more questions? Speak to one of our Teams Direct Routing experts today to learn more. 

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Session Border Controller (SBC) Security Threats for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing

In Direct Routing, Microsoft Teams, PSTN
April 20, 2020
2 Min Read
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Teams Direct Routing

Redundancy

A SBC forms a Single Point of Failure (SPOF). Unless a redundant SBC is deployed it will lead to reduced availability.

Multi-Tenancy

A SBC is designed to provide functions for a single tenant (company). Even if the SBC is virtualized, every SBC instance has its own customer data that needs to be managed with every modification.

Controlled Media Path

The connection via the SBC increases the transmission path and delay. If a SBC is hosted in a public cloud, there is no quality guarantee of media traffic.

Full Control and Management

A SBC is a separate network element that has its own management environment. Automation of real-time orders can therefore be a real challenge.

Security

There are security threats especially when a SBC is managed by a third party.

Delay in Handling Porting Orders

In the Netherlands, number porting is carried out real-time and on-demand within 15 minutes. If a number porting order is implemented for the retention of a telephone number, 3 domains must be managed separately. The number porting will have to be done manually in different domains, such as the SBC. This leads to increased downtime for a customer.

Coherent Telecom Settings

Country specific telecom settings, such as filtering, CLIP / CLIR, number normalization, over-usage management and forwards are influenced by the SBC, which may result in deviations in the telecom functions between Microsoft platform and legacy telecom domains.

Customer Self Service

Migration to Microsoft Teams requires frequent adjustments to settings, numbers and reports. Because the control of the SBC cannot be fully automated, it will be a real challenge to offer customers self-service.

Third Party Equipment

Because the SBC is a third-party network element, additional tests and maintenance will have to be scheduled for adjustments and upgrades.

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Planning for Skype to Teams migration? Here’s the guide

In Business Communication
April 9, 2020
3 Min Read
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Many companies are still waiting for the deadline defines for Skype to Teams migration to approach. While it may feel tempting to wait till the end and act promptly, while the announcement is about to be made that Microsoft Teams replaces Skype for Business, it is never a good idea from business strategic management perspective. If you still haven’t performed the Skype to Teams migration, here are 5 major tips to ease your process of Skype to Teams Migration:

  1. Go for Automated Up gradation

Organizations that are small and not equipped with hybrid or on-premises setup are favored by Microsoft. Microsoft offers those organizations automated up gradations for Office 365 tenant. This is particularly fruitful since SMEs don’t necessarily have a lot of IT experts on board.

  1. Focus on the Team

In order to perform Skype to Teams migration, the rollout Team at your end would have to be extended beyond just IT personnel and include stakeholders and executive sponsor that keep track of the training and rollout milestones.

  1. There are built-in upgrade options

The fact is: “Microsoft Teams comes with built-in upgrade options and interoperability”. This is for every business whether utilizing Skype for Business Server on-premises, Skype for Business Online, a hybrid configuration, or even companies having an enterprise voice plan.

  1. Choose an upgrade path

There are two modes for up gradation: Islands mode, Skype for Business with Teams Collab” mode and Teams only mode.

  • Islands mode: In this mode, you get the option of overlapping capabilities while you phase in the new features and eventually phase out Skype for Business features that your users and clients are so used to working with.
  • Skype for Business with Teams Collab mode: This is called the “meeting first approach” in which you are free to select the chosen capabilities.
  • Teams only mode: In this mode, all your calls are managed via Teams. In addition to this, your PSTN is configured well with Direct Routing.

  1. Discover your mode

Out of the many modes Microsoft Provides, there is an option to mix and match.

Either you can set a mode organization-wide or set it for specific users. This can be set in the Teams Admin Center. In this way, you can work with overlapping capabilities for a subset of users within the organization, while employing Teams only for the rest of the organization. So make the move before Microsoft Teams replaces Skype for business.

ALSO READ: Unleash the power of Microsoft Teams with an existing PBX Telephone System

MachCloud – the one-stop cloud communication platform for your business

MachCloud is an all-in-one digital communication platform that has the potential to take your business communication to the next level. With Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, MachCloud offers easy Calling via Teams with your existing PBX without the need of a SCB. With MachCloud, you can get pocket friendly calling plans that are suitable for every business. Solutions like MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams and MachCloud make MachCloud a favorite Cloud communications provider in the industry.

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An insight to employee experience with Microsoft Teams and MachCloud

In Microsoft Teams
February 4, 2020
2 Min Read
A

Teams direct routing

Microsoft Teams Direct Routing has transformed how employees carry out their daily work communicating and has given a new meaning to collaborative workplace. Microsoft Teams is a single app that is a hub for teamwork in the modern business space. Teams have redefined productivity and collaboration.

There is a rule of thumb: The Better communication channels and collaboration opportunities you give to your employees, the better position they will be in to perform and increase their productivity. Employees not only interact with each other, but also interact with apps to measure work progress and get key insights towards their tasks.

Increased collaboration with Teams Direct Routing

Microsoft has provided a great way to seamlessly work between communication solution, like Teams, and productivity software like other Office 365 tools. In this way, the employees can seamlessly switch between apps they are working on and collaboration tools.

With Direct Routing, it is a new ball game. Employees can conduct calls to their colleagues situated at different geographical locations. In this way, they can leverage the benefits of a cloud-based communication platform in a cost-effective manner.

Teams Direct Routing and Teams online provide the employees to work from anywhere. In this way, they get the freedom of being away from office, yet being at work at the same time. Teams Direct Routing Calling Plans are all what you need for a modern-day collaborative workplace implementation. You can add PSTN through Microsoft Teams to your Existing Cloud Voice PBX. This provides interoperability between third-party providers (like your PBX) and Teams.

ALSO READ Microsoft Teams Direct Routing: Where to start?

Microsoft Teams Direct Routing with MachCloud

MachCloud Direct Routing for Teams augments Microsoft Teams Direct Routing with added feature set. With MachCloud, you do not need on-premise equipment for the cloud voice operations. This reduces costs and increases speed while you provide support to your customers and partners. Providing a secured environment, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is all what you need to make best use of Teams online solution for business.

Get MachCloud and discover how increases employee collaboration can improve overall business productivity.

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